Core 2 Duo SU9300 vs Pentium G640

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core 2 Duo SU9300 vs Pentium G640 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 2 Duo SU9300 vs Pentium G640: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 2 Duo SU9300

2008

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 3W instead of 65W, a 62W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium G640

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,369 vs 1,392).
❌Launch MSRP is still $64 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo SU9300 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌2066.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G640 better than Core 2 Duo SU9300?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G640 is ahead with a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SU9300 pulls ahead with 1.7% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SU9300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Pentium G640 is the better buy right now. Pentium G640 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $64 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo SU9300 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.7% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (21.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium G640 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo SU9300 vs Pentium G640 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 2 Duo SU9300

The Core 2 Duo SU9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,392 points. Launch price was $249.

Pentium G640

The Pentium G640 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,369 points. Launch price was $179.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo SU9300 and Pentium G640 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SU9300 versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium G640 — a 80% clock advantage for the Pentium G640 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SU9300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium G640 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SU9300 scores 1,392 against the Pentium G640's 1,369 — a 1.7% lead for the Core 2 Duo SU9300. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SU9300 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G640.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU9300	Pentium G640
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.2 GHz	2.8 GHz+133%
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2.8 GHz+133%
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	3 MB+1100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,392+2%	1,369

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SU9300 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium G640 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.